Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 18th, 2012 8:00AM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Loose Dry, Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

danyelle magnan, Parks Canada

Glacier.

The first kiss of sun often triggers avalanches. After a month of steady snow avalanches are expected with the sun. Pay attention to which slopes are receiving solar radiation. Cornices are also weakened by the sun and provide large triggers.

Summary

Problems

Loose Dry

Yesterday, with a bit of sun the snow surface on solar aspects was moist below 1700m and snowballing was beginning. Strong solar is possible today. This will be the first real taste of sun since early February. Expect avalanches on solar aspects.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

SW'ly winds have loaded slopes, forming fat pockets and soft slabs at treeline and above. Wind slabs are triggerable with the potential for "step-down" avalanches to deeper instabilities. Winds are building huge cornices that are ready to drop.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Persistent Slabs

The Feb persistant weak layers are down 1.5 to 2m. When triggered they have produced climax avalanches that have logged mature timber and hit standard uptracks. These layers will likely need a large trigger- cornice fall or another avalanche.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Mar 19th, 2012 8:00AM